PDX_Axe's Mystery Knight Challenge

Hi all! I have been very inspired by @Powderdigit and his "The Five Knights of Lockdown"
thread, which he has used as a way to show the sets in his collection. Not being particularly original, I have decided to do something similar. Hence, my Mystery Knight Challenge. I shall post a picture of a pair of knights, and you all shall have to try to identify them. Once the correct answer is given I shall post pictures of the entire set. So, let's get started with the first set.

I should tell you that this board has 1.5 inch squares. I figured I would start with something relatively simple, but I have some tough ones coming up. Let the guessing begin!

I'll have a go although I'm a total newbie in comparison to all the seasoned chess collectors here. One can only learn 🙄 I'll get no further than guessing this might be a 40s Lardy though 😅

I just got back after lunch and congratulations to both of you, It is indeed a Lardy-style set, though I am not sure of the manufacturer. This is the set from the mangled Cavalier box with all the duct tape. My research indicates the sets were imported from France for sale in the US. Date-wise, I have not been able to narrow the date down closer than late 40's to mid 50's.

Seems you are off to an excellent start. I really like this set, and had it at work for a very long time to study during my lunch hours. I should have some more photos for the next set up soon.

Strikingly similar indeed!

Nice sets from both of you! A 40s one is still on my bucket list.

@BrownishGerbil It may be a set from the 40's, but as there were no marks on the box to identify the date, all I have is the span of time that these sets were sent to Cavalier. It has aged remarkably well. A few dings and dents to be sure, but the patina is wonderful. And the fact that it was my grandfather's makes it priceless to me. Seems I must come up with something more challenging for the next knights.

Firstly, @PSX_Axe, I am pleased that my thread inspired you or anyone else, for that matter. What started as a lockdown hobby has certainly progressed for me and because this CB&E community was so important to informing the purchase of my first set - I wanted to thank people and also help others.

Your thread will be fun indeed. 👍

When I first saw your first knight, I wanted to say Lardy but was thrown by the short base, and detail in the head and jaw - both which didn’t seem lardy’esque but now I see the error of my ways - they are older and hence of a different style. The learning continues - cheers, Mark 👍

Chavet : 1979.

I don't think the model shown is a Chavet, even if it looks like it would be...

The bishop who has been unveiled certainly helps us to approach this conclusion.

Take a good look at the tip of the nose and you will probably see an old Lardy, from the 1950s.

And if we had the power to walk 70 years earlier between the "Jura" and the "Ain", we would undoubtedly discover workshops that no one talks about today, and it is certainly one of those who made these knight ;-)

I don't know if my answer is correct, I just hope it makes sense, or maybe, the same player could shoot again ?

@Walterbiensur As I mentioned earlier, I have the original box, and everything I have found says they were sold by Cavalier in the US but imported from France between the late 40's to mid 50's

The information I got said they were Lardy sets, but as I had not been born yet when my grandfather purchased this, I have no way to know exactly whether it was manufactured by Lardy or Chavet. My gut feeling is Lardy, but I may never know for sure. Perhaps someone like Holger will have more definitive information.

Ok gentlemen, seeing as how it is a quiet Sunday afternoon here, I decided to get the photos for the second set of knights done. This time it's no joke, this one is likely to stump you. I must say I love this set, and it was a Christmas gift many years back from my mother. She knew what I like.

Ok, those ought to keep you all guessing for a bit. I think I might stump you on this one. Good luck to you all.

Btw, those are the same two knights, just flipped around. As you can see, they have different colors on both sides. The colors of the armies are determined by the color of the center part...either green or red.

And no guesses yet from anyone else. I fear there will be a lot of googling happening on this one.

Never have I seen something that even remotely resembles this 🤣

It's like a Picasso inspired figure had a late night encounter with a Warhol.

Oh so close! I do believe those knights speak Spanish at least.

All I can say is Spanish is spoken is many parts of the world. That doesn't really narrow it down much, does it. Well, I did say this one would be harder.

I get your South America ideas Powder, my first thoughts went into the direction of Aztec murals!

A big step up in difficulty indeed 😆

I love how your minds work. The idea that it is some sort of twisted offspring of Picasso and Warhol made me laugh out loud. My idea is to let each set run a couple of days so people have the time to try and find it, but if nobody can get it then all will be revealed.

Like a kind of pinata set 😇

I do love the bright colors, it's true. I really don't have anything else quite like it.

I really think this Mystery Knight challenge is going to work. In most sets, the knight is the most distinctive piece, and also often very recognizable. You guys got the Lardy set in just a few minutes, but then I did say that would be an easy one to start you off. This one is giving you more of a challenge, as I said it would. However don't give up! Let your subconscious minds work on it. As I said in a message to MCH, your Eureka! moment could be just around the corner. I am also sure some of you have great search engine skills. So, the challenge continues.